Seraglio Point in Istanbul is dominated by the magnificent, sprawling structures of two of the world’s architectural masterpieces. These are Haghia Sophia, the Byzantine Church of the Holy Wisdom, and the Ottoman Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet Camii. They’re like prize fighters sizing one another up across the park that separates them, champions of two great civilizations and the … [Read more...] about Lost Palace of the Byzantine Emperors
Destinations
American Dream Vacation in Palau, Micronesia
Submission by Bina Joseph A vacation truly made up of the stuff of dreams must happen in faraway corners of the world with musical, exotic-sounding names. Immediately, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia spring to mind. The Micronesian archipelago of Palau has been spotlighted by the popular “Survivor” TV series. Among the youngest nations in the world, Palau gained … [Read more...] about American Dream Vacation in Palau, Micronesia
10 Places to Learn about New York’s Erie Canal
By Sandra Scott The Erie Canal is a New York State treasure. In the early 1800s when New York governor DeWitt Clinton proposed building a canal that would connect the navigable Hudson River to Lake Erie by a 300-mile canal through the wilderness, Thomas Jefferson said, “It is a splendid project and may be executed a century hence … but it is a little short of madness to … [Read more...] about 10 Places to Learn about New York’s Erie Canal
They Say You Can’t Go Back in Time, But Sometimes You Just Might
By Joe Brusse In Brenham, Texas, about halfway between Houston and Austin, there is an old carousel in the city’s Fireman’s Park. I can remember my father taking me for a ride on that carousel about sixty-five years ago. Recently, I had a chance to revisit the park and it brought back many vivid memories. The carousel is a unique and historic antique. Remarkably, it has … [Read more...] about They Say You Can’t Go Back in Time, But Sometimes You Just Might
Foynes: A Small Irish Town with a Flying History
By Des Townshend Where in the world would you find a transatlantic journey that once offered a lounge, a formal dining room, a white linen table setting for up to 35 passengers, a menu of shrimp cocktail, turtle soup, steak, fresh vegetables, peach Melba, and a wide choice of drinks? This was not a transatlantic cruise, because ships took seven to nine days to cross the … [Read more...] about Foynes: A Small Irish Town with a Flying History